Dr. Wagner speaks out on prescription drug abuse

Tommy Wagner, M.D., was the guest speaker at Manila parent/teacher night speaking on the abuse of prescription drugs.

Manila high school counselor Angie Gipson introduced Dr. Wagner, who also serves on the Manila School Board.

"We appreciate Dr. Wagner taking time to talk to us," Gipson said. "He has presented this program to the students this week. We recognize there is a problem with the abuse of prescription drugs."

An informative video, "What every parent needs to know about prescription drug abuse," was shared.

Dr. Wagner said most parents just can't believe their children would abuse prescription drugs. He said if talking to the students and showing the video can help even one young person, it is worth it.

"When I talked to the Manila High School students I took a poll," he said. "I said statistics show a typical high school has 40 to 60 percent of their students experiment with drugs. I asked the students if they thought Manila was a typical high school. Most students raised their hands."

Dr. Wagner encouraged parents to be aware of their children's peer group.

"If your kids are hanging out with kids who are abusing, more than likely they are involved," he said. "The number one problem today is prescription drugs. It has overtaken marijuana and alcohol in our young people. Marijuana stays in the system for 30 days. Prescription drugs only stay in the system 24 to 36 hours."

He encouraged people to discard old prescription medicine and never leave the bottles in bathroom cabinets.

Dr. Wagner said his office door is always open.

"If it is my patient or not, I will do what is best for anyone," he said.